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Independent Review · Updated 2026

Northwest Registered Agent review: the $39 LLC, examined

Forming an LLC is easy. Forming one without your home address on public record, surprise renewal fees, or upsells at every step is harder. Here's how Northwest handles it.

Start your LLC with Northwest → $39 + your state's filing fee · confirm current pricing on their site

Why the cheapest LLC offer is rarely the cheapest LLC

Most formation services advertise "free" or near-free LLC filing. The catch shows up later: registered agent service that auto-renews at a premium, your personal address published in state records, and a dashboard engineered to upsell you an EIN, an operating agreement, and 'compliance packages' you could handle yourself.

Northwest built its reputation on the opposite model — a flat, visible price, a registered agent year included, and a policy of putting their address on public documents instead of yours wherever the state allows it. For freelancers, e-commerce sellers, and non-US founders forming a US company, that privacy detail matters more than most people realize on day one.

What you actually get

The $39 package covers the essentials most competitors charge separately for:

01

Formation filing handled

They prepare and file your Articles of Organization with your chosen state. You pay the state's filing fee at cost — no markup.

02

One year of registered agent service

Every US LLC legally needs a registered agent. Northwest includes their core service for year one, then a flat annual rate after — no first-year teaser pricing games.

03

Privacy by Default®

Wherever state rules allow, Northwest lists their address on public filings instead of yours. Your home address stays out of searchable state databases and the junk-mail lists scraped from them.

04

Non-resident friendly

You don't need to live in the US to own a US LLC. Northwest is a common choice for international founders, with guidance on EINs and state selection (Wyoming and Delaware are popular for a reason).

The honest trade-offs

What we like

  • Transparent flat pricing — what you see is what you pay
  • Privacy protection that most competitors don't offer at all
  • Support staff who answer questions instead of reading scripts
  • No aggressive upsell funnel after checkout

Worth knowing

  • Not the absolute cheapest sticker price — some rivals advertise $0 filing (and recover it on renewals)
  • No bundled extras like business banking or bookkeeping — it's a focused service
  • Registered agent renews at full price after year one, so factor that into year-two costs
9.1 / 10

Our verdict

If you want the lowest possible price today and don't mind upsells, cheaper headline offers exist. If you want a US LLC formed correctly, your personal address kept off public records, and a predictable bill next year, Northwest is the strongest option we've reviewed in this category — especially for privacy-conscious founders and non-US residents.

Start your LLC with Northwest →

Frequently asked questions

What does the $39 actually cover?

Northwest's service fee for preparing and filing your LLC formation documents, plus a year of registered agent service. Your state's own filing fee (typically $50–$500 depending on the state) is separate and paid at cost — every formation service passes this through.

Can I use Northwest if I don't live in the US?

Yes. Non-US residents can own US LLCs, and Northwest regularly works with international founders. You'll still need an EIN from the IRS to open a US bank account — Northwest provides guidance on this process.

Which state should I form my LLC in?

If you live and operate in a US state, form there — forming elsewhere creates double fees. If you're a non-resident or fully online business, Wyoming is popular for low fees and privacy, while Delaware suits startups seeking outside investment.

What is a registered agent and do I really need one?

Every US LLC is legally required to designate a registered agent — a person or company at a physical address in the state who receives legal and government mail during business hours. Using a service like Northwest keeps your own address private and means you never miss a state notice.

How long does formation take?

It depends on the state, ranging from same-day to a few weeks. Many states offer expedited processing for an extra state fee, which Northwest can file for you.

Ready to make it official?

Setup takes about 10 minutes. Have your business name ideas and a US state in mind, and Northwest handles the filing from there.

Start your LLC with Northwest →